Lessons on How to Play Banjo

Banjo Compass is your online source for learning how to play the banjo. We have lessons for beginners as well as intermediate to advanced courses on rhythm & backup, famous songs, improvisation, and clawhammer. Our free online lessons are designed to quickly teach you about a basic concept and to introduce you to our teaching style. Our premium courses are longer in length and provide more detailed instruction. So look around and find the banjo lessons that are right for you.

Featured Free Lesson

Switching Chords by Geoff Hohwald is designed for players who want to begin playing rhythm. When playing banjo in a jam session or band, you will be mostly playing chords while the other musicians are singing or playing their solos. In this lesson, you will learn how to play two basic chord shapes. Geoff will show you tips for forming each chord shape and switching between them smoothly and accurately. Once you get the hang of things, we’ll practice playing the G, C, and D chords along with a rhythm track of Goin’ Down that Road Feeling Bad.